Chelsea turbulence as Enzo banned and Caicedo coy on future
Strasbourg fans slam Liam Rosenior’s ‘stupid’ comments after leaving for Chelsea and condemn BlueCo’s multi-club model, saying ties should be cut as Chelsea sign prospects like Mamadou Sarr and Emmanuel Emegha.
Under pressure after four straight losses and PSG exit, Liam Rosenior rejects ‘crisis’ talk, citing Chelsea’s league position since his arrival, a stance critics say risks alienating fans.
Ashley Cole recalls Lassana Diarra being ‘unbelievable’ at right back under Jose Mourinho, but the midfielder refused the role and soon left Chelsea, later joining Arsenal and then Portsmouth’s 2008 FA Cup winners.
Port Vale, FA Cup quarter-finalists for the first time in 72 years, vow to go ‘toe-to-toe’ at Chelsea despite a squad assembled for free against the Blues’ £1.5bn outlay.
Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho confirms a relationship with model Adriana Lobaz on Instagram during the break. On the pitch, Chelsea struggle after a heavy PSG defeat and league losses, with pressure on Rosenior.
Morgan Rogers is open to leaving Aston Villa, with Chelsea interested. The 23-year-old has 8 goals, 5 assists and 10 big chances created. A fee could top £80m and potentially exceed £100m.
Alan Shearer includes only Joao Pedro in his Team of the Season, praising the Chelsea forward’s goal haul. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Reece James are omitted as Chelsea battle for the top five.
Review of Leicester-to-Chelsea moves: Kante a success, while Drinkwater, Chilwell, Fofana and Dewsbury-Hall offered mixed or poor returns despite big fees, underlining Chelsea’s patchy record raiding the Foxes.
Chelsea are close to signing Valentin Barco, with a contract agreed and Strasbourg links aiding the deal. The 21-year-old, who worked with Liam Rosenior, offers versatility and 87% Ligue 1 pass accuracy.
Moises Caicedo refuses to rule out a future Real Madrid move, saying ‘you never know’. It follows Enzo Fernandez’s ban. Rosenior reiterates culture lines and meets Marc Cucurella after his transfer-policy criticism.
With Enzo Fernandez sanctioned and Reece James injured, Liam Rosenior says Tosin Adarabioyo is in Chelsea’s leadership group and could captain against Port Vale, alongside Caicedo, Palmer, Pedro and Cucurella.
Enzo Fernandez’s agent calls Chelsea’s two-game ban ‘completely unfair’, denies he pushed for Real Madrid, hints at a contract deadlock and warns they may ‘explore other options’. Rosenior says a line was crossed.
Enzo Fernandez gets a two-match club suspension for Madrid comments but will keep training with the first team. He misses Port Vale and Man City as Chelsea ‘lay down a marker’ under Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea chase an FA Cup semi-final vs Port Vale. Enzo Fernandez is sanctioned. Lavia and Caicedo are expected to anchor midfield, Neto and Garnacho wide, Estevao fit, Sanchez in goal. Kick-off Saturday, 4 April, 17:30 BST.
Kalidou Koulibaly says his £20m move from Chelsea to Al-Hilal was ‘one of the best choices’ of his life, citing happiness in Saudi Arabia. He has since won the league, King’s Cup and Saudi Super Cup.
Chelsea and Newcastle are tracking Borussia Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel, 28. Bayern also keen as Neuer’s successor. Kobel has 27 appearances, 28 conceded, 12 clean sheets. Contract to 2028, fee likely above €40m.
